Razor blade and holder



1938. J. HOLTZMAN 2,125,501

RAZOR BLADEAND HOLDER Filed Aug. 30, 1930 2 SheetsSheet l 5%. INVENTOR John Holfzman ATTORNEY Aug. 2, 1938. J. HOLTZMAN RAZOR BLADE AND HOLDER Filed Aug. 30, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 INVENTO John Halfzman Patented Aug. 2, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE mesne assignments,

to Gillette Safety Razor Company, Boston, Mass, a corporation of Delaware Application August so, 1930, Serial No. 478,812

'7 Claims.

This invention relates to safety razor blades and to the holders therefor, and particularly, to holders of the Gillette type and the flexible blades used in connection therewith. Such flexible blades have customarily been tempered and hardened throughout the entire surface and consequently, are brittle and subject to breakage, particularly along the center line thereof. Breakage frequently occurs under sudden changes of temperature such as when running the blade first under hot water and then suddenly under cold water, due to uneven contraction and expansion of the metal, and also occurs when the blade is improperly inserted into the holder and forcibly clamped inadvertently in the wrong position, or when the razor is dropped.

My invention contemplates the provision oi a flexible safety razor blade, offering little resistance to bending, and wherein the stress put upon the blade when it is flexed, intentionally or inadvertently, is minimized-by the removal of a large amount of material at the points resistant to such stress, to prevent the blade from cracking and breaking. The adjustment of my blade for fine or coarse shaving in a holder of the Gillette type is readily accomplished without material pressure on the blade, andthe blade, when inadvertently clamped in the wrong position, flexes so easily that breakage thereof is avoided.

My invention further contemplates disposing a minimum amount of material between the cutting edges of the blade, whereby not only is the resistance to the flexing of the blade lowered to a minimum, but a minimum. amount of material joins the cutting edges and conducts heat so rapidly that the expansion and contraction thereof cannot cause the blade to break under rapid changes in temperature. i 40 My invention further contemplates the provision of a holder so shaped as to readily position my improved blades for proper shaving, v and to protect and brace the comparatively narrow ends of the blades against possible damage. My invention further contemplates the provision of a holder designed to fit into the cut away parts of the blade and to'brace the blade intermediate its ends against possible distortion during its assembly into the holder and during the 1 50 shaving operation.

The various objects or my invention will .be clear from the description which follows, and from the drawings, in which Figs. 1 to .10 inclusive are elevational views 5:, of various forms of double edged flexible wafer safety razor blades made in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 11 isa cross-section of the blade, taken on the line il-ll of Fig. 1, and applies substantri iailly1 to Figs. 2 to 10 inclusive as well as to 5 Fig. 12 is a front elevation and partial section of my improved razor or holder adapted to be used in connection with my improved blades.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the clamping 10 member of my improved razor, showing a typical form of projection or lug adapted to flt blades slotted in various designs.

Fig. 14 is a similar view of the guard of my improved razor, showing the depression therein 15 for the reception of the lug of the clamping member. I

Fig. 15 is a bottom plan view of the clamping member shown in Fig. 13.

Fig. 16 is a vertical section of the same, taken 20 onthe line ill8 of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a top plan view of the guard member illustrated in Fig. 14.

'Fig. 18 is a vertical section of the same, taken on the line. il-ll of Fig. 17. 25

Fig. 19 is a bottom plan view of a modified form of the clamping member, wherein the projecting lug and the blade adapted to flt thereon are diflerently shaped for protecting the blade ends.

Fig. 20 is a similar view of the same but showing 30 a modified form of the blade end, and of the corresponding blade protecting part of the clamping member.

Fig. 21 is a vertical section, taken on the line 2|-2l of Fig. 19, showing particularly, how the 35 end of the blade is enclosed and protected.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of a part of a modifled form of the guard member showing a depression therein for the reception of a modified form oi lug or projection on the clamping memher, and showing an upwardly projecting and comparatively thick lug adapted to pass completely through the blade.

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a clamping member provided with'proiections designed to fit a blade having an end shaped as in Fig. 19', and

Fig. 24 is a perspective view of a modified form or guard member adapted to cooperate with the clamping member of Fig. 23 to enclose the end of the blade.

In that practical embodiment of my invention which I have illustrated by way of example, Figs.

1 to 10 inclusive and Figs. 19 and 20 illustrate typical forms of my improved blade. In each case, the blade is provided-with two opposed and wafer material, spring tempered throughout and has a substantial area thereof removed to form slots, openings or apertures of various shapes, said removed area being in most cases, at least one third of the remaining area of the blade. In all of said forms, however, the slots or apertures are symmetrical about a longitudinal center line of the blade.

As shown in Fig. 1, the ends of the blade it terminate at its ends in straight portions ll extending from the edge 12 and at right angles thereto inwardly and joined by the arcuate pore tions H3. The slot i l consists of a central portion lb of suflicient width to remove that area of the blade which would have the greatest curvature and be subjected to the greatest strain when it is inserted into a suitable holder of the Gillette type and flexed into shaving position. The end portions it of the slot each consist of an arcuate end I l, substantially parallel to the arcuate end l3 oi the blade and of tapered edges l8 converging inwardly toward each other and joining the narrower or constricted slot portions 49 to the transversely elongated portions of the slots it. There is left at the end of the blade, a band or ribbon 2!, preferably of uniform width, which joints the blade portion 22 (including the shaving edge I2) to the similar blade portion 23 including the opposite shaving edge. It will be seen that the portions 22 and 23 are connected only by the narrow hands it at the ends, said bands being integral with the remainder of the blade. It will also be seen that the slot portion iii may engage the central threaded stud of a Gillette type razor, while the ends of the tapered portions it may engage the positioning stud of such a razor, and the constricted portions it may engage a narrow lug of a clamping member at at least four points. It will further be seen that the extreme ends of the slot ends ll! extend at least up to or beyond the blade ends ii.

In arranging the blade to in a holder therefore, the lugs of any Gillette type razor or suitable lugs or any desired shape, such as will be further described in connection with my improved clamping member, may be passed through the slot i l to position the blade whereafter' a suitably shaped guard or any Gillette type guard and handle may be assembled with the clamping member.

Little pressure need be put on the blade to flex it into the proper shaving position since the bands i2 ofier. little resistance to such flexing.

Similarly, the razor handle maybe readily turned for adjusting the holder for fine or coarse shaving, with ease, rapidity and accuracy due to the lack of material resistance offered by the blade.

Should the blade be subjected to sudden changes in temperature, the bands it being comparatively narrow, thin and long, conduct heat and expand and contract rapidly, without danger of cracking or splitting.

As shown in Fig. 2, the blade 3b is provided 'twith a somewhat differently shaped slot 3! wherein the central portion 32 is arcuate to receive the central stud of a typical Gillette razor. The end portions 33 of the slot have substantially straight ends 3% parallel to the similarly shaped end 35 of the blade while the tapered sides 36 Join the end 36 of the slot to the constricted slot portions 3?. Said portions 3'5 in turn connect the central portion 32 to the end portion 33. It will be seen that the blade 36 has a substantial portion thereof cutaway to provide the blade portions 22 and 23 joined by the bands l3, as in that form of my improved blade shown in Fig. l, and that the slot may fit Gillette type razors of the separated stud or bar lug type.

Similarly, the blade 48 of Fig. 3 has ends 35 shaped similarly to the ends of the blade 3i! but the slot 4| thereof is of somewhat different shape. The central portion 52 of the slot, instead of being madecircular as in the blade 30, is made of substantially square outline but is also adapted to receive a typical central stud of the Gillette type of razor. For the tapered sides 36 and lb of the blades 35 and ill respectively, I have substituted the reversely curved edge 63 which allows a larger portion of the material of the blade to be removed, while allowing engagement with separated studs or bar lugs 01 razors of the Gillette type.

As shown in Fig. 4, the blade $5 'is provided with ends having the arcuate portion at and the right angle recessed corners 36. While the slot ll of this blade may have its ends parallel to the arcuate edges dd, but as illustrated the ends Q9 of the slot are arranged at substantially right angles to the shaving edges so that the connecting bands fit which join the blade portions 22 and 23 are not of uniform width throughout but are widest along the longitudinal center line of the blade. The intermediate portion of the slot ll is reversely curved so that a. substantial amount of the material may be removed from the center of the blade while nevertheless providing bonds of contact for the central stud and other studs of a holder of the Gillette type. The ends 39 of the slot, however, extend beyond the ends oi'the shaving edges.

In Fig. 5, the blade Eil is provided with the right angle corners it but the ends 55 of the blade are straight. The end portions 52 of the slots are so dimensioned that the blade is cut away parallel to the shaving edge 92 for a substantial distance, the end bands It, however, remaining of substantially uniform width:

The blade 53 shown in Fig. 6 is made of substantially the same outline as the blade 50 but the slot is differently'shaped. The end portions at or the slot are made parallel to the outline of the blade edges and ends on three sides.

The centralportion 5d of the slot has substan- F tlally parallel sides somewhat similar to the portion it of Fig. l.

In Fig. '7, the blade 56 is of the same outline as the blades 53 and 58 but the shape of the slot 5? is varied so that more of the material of the blade may be removed, while providing the desired points of contact with suitable studs.

In Fig. 8, the central portion 59 of the blade 58 is largely cut away while the-bands (id as in the blades 53 and 56, are of substantially uniform width and extend substantially from one shaving edge to the other, part of the slot being constricted to provide engagement with a bar stud and part being arcuate to engage spaced cylindrical studs of the well known type.

In Fig. 9, however, I have shown the blade Si from which the material is largely cut in from the ends of the blade as by means of the recesses 62. The slot 63 terminates in narrow portions 65 which are effective to remove a substantial amount of material from the central portion 65 of the blade end. In this form of my improved blade, the band 8t remains narrow and substantially follows the outline of the blade ends for a substantial distance transversely of the blade.

As shown in the blade III of Fig.10, the end portions 61 of the blade slot may be enlarged as at 68 to a point quite close to the shaving edge I2. The connecting band 68 between the blade portion 22 and 28 is thereby so formed as to extend through a point intermediate of the ends so that the bands 89 extend beyondthe shaving edges.

As shown in Fig. 11 and as has been previously described, the blade is made of the usual wafer material. Said figure applies substantially to Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive.

It will be noted that the blades. I0, 80. 40, 45, 50, 53, 56, 58, 8| and 10, illustrated in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive and above described, are all so shaped that while retaining the advantages of minimum resistance to fiexure and of the provision of narrow end bands for the purposes hereinbefore described, said blades nevertheless are designed to fit the various types of Gillette razors.

In the old and well known Gillette type which need not be described, three spaced studs are usually provided. It will be noted that all the various blades shown except the blade 58 which may engage only two studs, are provided with slots, the edges of which may engage the central stud at at least two points.

It will further be seen that the end portions of the various slots are so shaped that each of the other two studs of the old and well known type of Gillette razor may also be. engaged at at least two spaced points. Furthermore, each of the slots of the various blades is constricted at at least two points to offer engagement with the projecting bar of the clamping member of the Gillette type razor. I

It 'will be understood, therefore, that in addition to the other advantages previously pointed out, my improved blades are designed to fit into the Gillette type of razor, and such types being well known, it is not being necessary therefore to describe or to show them.

Referring now to Figs. 12 to 24 inclusive, Ihave there shown various improved forms of razors of the Gillette type which may be used in connection with my improved blade. Referring particularly to Fig. 12, my improved razor there shown consists. of the usual handle 80, the guard 8i modified, as will soon be described, and the clamping member 82, also modified to properly cooperate with the guard 8i. proved razor, the guard 8i and the clamping member 82 cooperate with each other to properly position the'blade at all times while at the same time, fitting all of the blades shown in Figs. 1 to 10 inclusive except the blade SI of Fig. 9, and cooperating to brace the blade, particularly 'at the end bands thereof to prevent undue stress upon the comparatively narrow hands during the shaving operation.

The guard 8i, illustrated in perspective in Fig. l4gand further shown in Figs. 1'1 and 18, is provided'with a central opening 88 for the reception of the usualthreaded stud 84, which is designed to enter the threaded opening 85 of the handle 80 in the usual manner. On its upper surface 8'5,

- the guard 8i is provided with a suitably shaped depression 81 of the same shape as the thin cooperating extension 88 projecting downwardly from In this form of my imthe clamping member 82. The extension 88 is provided with tapered ends 88, widest at their extremities and converging toward each other and joined by the rib 90. By widening the extension 88'at its ends. the clamping member is braced and reinforced throughout a large part of its area while at the same time, a suitable bladepositioning means is provided for entering the various enlarged end portions of the slots of my improved blades. I prefer to make the extension- 88 of such shape that it may, if desired, engage a variety of slots such as those previously described in connection with my improved blades.

By this means. the manufacturer may therefore, from time to time. put out blades having slots of various shapes, all of which blades will nevertheless fit the same holder whereby the design of the blades may be varied to suit the fancy of the purchaser. At the same time, unauthorized blades, unless in direct imitation of the improved blades, could not fit into the holder.

In assembling any of the blades in my im proved holder, the clamping member 82 is preferably first inverted and the stud 84 inserted through the central portion of the opening in the blade, the blade being at the same time shifted with respect to the clamping member so that the ends 88 of the extension 88 enter into and contact with the ends of the slots of the blade. The blade is thereby properly positioned in place for shaving. and the stud 84 passed through the aperture 83 thereof, the guard member being at the same time rotated about the stud 84 until the extension 88 enters the depression 81.

The handle 80 may now be screwed on to the stud 84. Very littlepressure is needed in attaching the handle since the blade is cut away over so much of its area that it readily flexes into the proper shaving position without material resistance. Even if wrongly positioned, the blade flexes so easily that it is not broken. Further, the added pressure necessary warns the user that the blade is not in the proper position. The bandle may be screwed up as far as may be desired to obtain the desired adjustment while the parts are firmly held together against relative movement.

The extension 88 at the same time engages the edges of the slot in the blade to a sufllcient extent to brace said blade against possible distortion or against shock put thereon, as when the razor is dropped accidentally. It will be understood that if the razor is to be used in connection with the blade I0 of Fig. 10, the guard 8i and clamping member 82 may be both shortened by cutting off the ends thereof fiush or even with The guard member is now inverted the extreme ends of the depression 81 and of the lug'or extension 88 respectively.

Referring now to Fig. 19, I have there shown a clamping member I00 intended for use in connection with the blade SI of Fig.- 9 or with the blade IOI of Fig. 19. As has been previously ex plained, the end of the. blade may be cut away instead of or in addition to the central portion thereof. In such cases, I prefer to make the clamping member I00 longer than the blade and to form additional end extensions or projections I02 on the clamping member, which projections extending continuously across the face of the member I00 and have their inner edges I03 so shaped as to fit and to receive therebetween, the ends of the blade. The blade ends are thereby sists substantially of a comparatively narrow band of metal, two parallel edges of which have been sharpened while the greater portion of the interior of the blade is removed for the purposes hereinbeiore mentioned. As shown in Fig. 21, the guard member I05, intended to cooperate with the clamping member I00,'is provided with a suitable aperture I for the reception of the clamping member studIii'I, but the ends I08 of said guard are shaped similarly to the edges I03 of the projection I02 so that said ends I00 contact with the edges I03 oi the clamping member as clearly shown in Fig. 21. A lug as I09, shaped to correspond with the slot IIO of the blade IN .is designed to enter. said slot I50 and to enter a correspondingly shaped depression II! in the guard member I05.

As shown in Fig. 20, the end H5 of the blade '6 is substantially straight and adapted to fit against the edges II! of the projections 8 on the clamping member IE9, which projections are otherwise similar to the projection I02. In this case, the ends of the guard member as I05 are shaped to correspond to the ends IIE of the blade and contact with the edges III oi the projection I I0 when the parts are assembled.

It will be understood that the clamping members I00. and IIS are substantially identical excepting for the shapes of the inner edges of the respective projections I02 and H0 and that the guard member I05 has its ends shaped similarly to the ends of the respective blades, as has been above pointed out.

Referring now to Fig. 22, I have there shown a guard member I20 provided with a depression I2I shaped to correspond to the shape of the blade slot, whatever it may be. In orde however, to

insure against relative movement of the guard.

member I20 and its cooperating clamping member, an extension as I22 having its upper surface I23 raised above the remaining surface I20 of the guard member, is provided. Said projection I22 is designed to enter a-suitable depression of the proper depth in the co-acting clamping member, which in turn, is provided with an extension similar to the extension 00 but shapedtto fit the edges of the depression I2I and to pass'through the correspondingly shaped slot in the blade and into said depression, as will be obvious.

Rererrlng now to Figs. 23 and 24, I have there shown a clamping member I20 and a co-acting guard member I20, both adapted to cc-operate for enclosing the ends of the blade such as the blade 0| of Fig. 9' or the blade IOI' of Fig. 10. In the clamping member I20, the pro ections I02 are similar to those previously described in connection with the clamping member I00. I have,

however, shown a. projection as I21 similar to but smaller than the projection I00 and designed to fit the edges of the slot 00 o! the'blade 0|. -Said projection I21, which may be omitted, if

desired, after passing through the slot 00, enters the depression I20 01' the guard member, the

stud Be at the 'same'time passing through the aperture 03. Theiends of the blade contact with the edges I03 of the projections I02 which projections enter the recessed portion I29 of the guard member I26 when the parts areassembled. The blade ends are thereby fully protected and enclosed, as has been previously explained in connection with Figs. 19, 210 and 21. It will be understood, however, that the guard member may be cut off, if desired, to eliminate the depressions I29 and to make it similar to the guard member I05.

It will be seen that I have provided a blade designed to fit various forms of razors of the Gillette type, but so shaped and proportioned as to ofier a minimum resistance to flexing and not likely to be split, cracked or broken under the various conditions of use. It will further be seen that I have provided a holder wherein the blades are suitably brace-d, which may be clamped together with av minimum amount of efiort and readily adjusted.

While I have shown and described certain preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that I do not intend to limit myself thereto but intend to claim my inventionas broadly as may be permitted by the state of the prior art and the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. -A double edged wafer safety razor blad spring tempered throughout and having a slot therein extending from a point close to one end of the blade to a point close to the other end, said slot being transversely constricted at at least four points to receive a comparatively elongated narrowed member of substantially the length of the slot, the slotbeing enlarged transversely at the middle thereof to receive a substantially circular stud, and said slot being shaped at its ends and the ends of the blade being similarly shaped to' form a narrow band at each end of the blade inthroughout and comprising a pair of identical portions separated by a slot, each of said portions terminating 1!!8- sharpened cutting edge, and in ends other than straight, and said portions being narrower at and near their ends than at any intermediate points, and sald'slot terminating near, and being substantially parallel at its ends to, the ends of the blade to provide at each end of the blade a comparatively long but narrow. spring band integral with and joining said portions and 01' greater length measured transversely of the blade than the greatest width of said band and of said portions; said portions being separated and in spaced relation to each other and located within the limits defined by the length of said slot.

3. In a safety razor, a clamping member, a

blade having recessed ends and having a longitudinal slet throughout substantially the length thereof, projections extending entirely across the endsot said clamping member and having the inner-edges thereof shaped to fit the recessed ends of the blade, an intermediate projection on the clamping member spaced 'from the end projections and shaped to enter the slot of the blade, a clamping stud projecting from said clamping,

member and adapted to pass through the slot of the blade, a guard member having an aperture therein for the passage of said clamping stud and having a depression therein for receiving the intermediate projection of said clamping member and having end depressions therein for the reception of the end projections of said clamping member whereby the ends of said blade are enclosed and protected, and the blade is positioned and braced against distortion.

4. The combination with a blade having a slot therein of greater width than half the width of the blade, a clamping member of greater length than that of the blade, end projections on said clamping member extending transversely across the member and shaped to fit the ends of the blade whereby, said blade is arranged entirely within theclamping member except at the edges thereof, a guard member cooperating with said clamping member to clamp the blade therebetween, and a handle for operativelyconnecting the clamping member and the guard with the blade therebetween.

5. The combination with a wafer safety razor blade spring tempered throughout and having a slot therein of greater area than a third of the remaining area of the blade, said slot terminating near the ends of the blade, and said ends being shaped to follow and to conform to the ends of the slot to provide narrow but comparatively long end bands on the blade oflering little resistance to the flexing oi the blade and being located within the limits defined by the length of the slot, oi a clamping member, a projection thereon shaped to engage the edges of the slot at spaced points and to engage the ends of the slots, said projection being of different widths at diilerent points thereof, a guard member having a depression. therein shaped to lit and adapted to receive said projection, the clamping member being of sufflcient length to cover and to protect said bands.

6. A safety razor blade having a central longitudinal slot, parallel cutting edges on the blade portions spaced by said slot, end portions of a width less than that of the main body of the blade, and transverse necks flexibly connecting said end portions and said spaced blade portions within the limits defined by the length of said slot, said necks forming narrow bands directed at right angles to said cutting edges.

'7. A safety razor comprising cooperating bladeclamping members, and a double edged blade having the interior of its body cut away in a single aperture defining separate edge-carrying portions connected by thin flexible transverse end portions 01 the blade, one of said blade-clamping members being provided with an integral elevated area shaped to fill the aperture of the blade and support its thin flexible end portions by contact therewith.

JOHN HOL'IZMAN. 

